[wushuliu]

All my modding and comparing DACs earlier this year allowed me to do a lot of cheap USB cable swapping (I have *way* too many spares). My personal takeaway was that each did something a little different and that cheap USB 3.0s sound pretty darn good. My only other 'audiophile' usb on hand is a Wireworld Ultra. I also have the beloved Belkin Gold. For kicks I got the Pangea Premier SE to try out. My expectations were meh, but to my surprise it is a pretty darn good cable! Has the bottom end warmth of the Belkin Gold and what I perceived as a low noise floor. I was worried about the silver content because I really really don't like silver in my gear, but in this case the highs were clean and clear maybe a touch reserved if anything. I liked the cable so much I forgot to return it - that's always a good sign.

Still, depending on the setup I think it's worthwhile to get some cheap USB 3 cables, Belkin Gold (and adapters if needed) and compare. You might be surprised at the results.

https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGUSBSE

[RDavidson]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking for a good USB cable. I have a Belkin Gold now that is unnecessarily long, but works fine and audio quality seems fine in my system. However, it's definitely not up to par with the rest of my system. I've been looking at The Curious USB as it seems to be universally well reviewed. Problem is, it still seems pricey to me. In your trials of high value "audiophile" USB cables, which is your favorite? I'm OK spending a bit if I have to, but I'm looking for the next good step up from standard Belkin Gold...perhaps without getting to Curious USB price (yet). I know the Shunyata has been well reviewed, but it appears that only 1.5M and 3.0M are the only lengths available. I'd like to stick to 1.0M.

$50 for the Pangea is probably a no-brainer to at least try. If I don't like it, returning it should be easy enough. I'm definitely open to trying others if you have recommendations. 

[charmerci]

$50 for the Pangea is probably a no-brainer to at least try. If I don't like it, returning it should be easy enough. I'm definitely open to trying others if you have recommendations. 

I like the StraightWire $20 one from the Schiit Audio site. It's very close to my $180 "reference" USB cable.

[wushuliu]

I like the StraightWire $20 one from the Schiit Audio site. It's very close to my $180 "reference" USB cable.

Huh. Good price considering regular retail seems to be around $45+

[wushuliu]

Thanks for the info. I'm looking for a good USB cable. I have a Belkin Gold now that is unnecessarily long, but works fine and audio quality seems fine in my system. However, it's definitely not up to par with the rest of my system. I've been looking at The Curious USB as it seems to be universally well reviewed. Problem is, it still seems pricey to me. In your trials of high value "audiophile" USB cables, which is your favorite? I'm OK spending a bit if I have to, but I'm looking for the next good step up from standard Belkin Gold...perhaps without getting to Curious USB price (yet). I know the Shunyata has been well reviewed, but it appears that only 1.5M and 3.0M are the only lengths available. I'd like to stick to 1.0M.

$50 for the Pangea is probably a no-brainer to at least try. If I don't like it, returning it should be easy enough. I'm definitely open to trying others if you have recommendations. 

No favorites per se as it's system dependent and YMMV. Regular USB 3.0 cables to me sound more dynamic and a little more transparent, but also depends on brand. I used to have a Wireworld Starlight USB and that was also good, but at least on materials the Pangea has an edge especially with price. If you like the Belkin warmer tone though the Pangea is very similar.

[RDavidson]

I am very late to the computer audio game and have no point of reference other than the old Belkin Gold. In other words, I’m pretty clueless about how much of a difference a good USB cable can make. I’ve never compared the Belkin to anything else, so if it imparts warmth I really wouldn’t know. I ordered the Pangea. I may go ahead and order a Straightwire to try too. For $20, why not? I appreciate the recommendations and info.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I am very late to the computer audio game and have no point of reference other than the old Belkin Gold. In other words, I’m pretty clueless about how much of a difference a good USB cable can make. I’ve never compared the Belkin to anything else, so if it imparts warmth I really wouldn’t know. I ordered the Pangea. I may go ahead and order a Straightwire to try too. For $20, why not? I appreciate the recommendations and info.

USB cables can sound different and are system dependent.  We did a shoot out at my house with 4 usb cables-  Wire World Platinum-$600, WW Starlight Red-$120, Light Speed-$600 and a Pangea-$40 cable.  The results were eye opening.

My DAC is a $5K Luxman DA-06.

The Platinum sounded the best, very smooth, yet detailed and it was neutral with maybe a slight hint of warmth.  The Light Speed was very detailed but way too bright.  The Starlight Red was veiled, almost muddy but warm.  The Pangea was way too bright and thin sounding. 

Then we  added an Uptone Regen to the mix and all the cables sounded better.  However Light Speed was still too bright but less so, the Pangea was still awful, bright and thin sounding but less so.  The Starlight's muddiness was gone but it did not have the detail of the Platinum.

It is interesting to note that the guy that owns the Platinum and Light Speed, uses the LS in his system as it does not sound bright.

Now I am not saying that every one will hear a difference between cables, it is clearly cable and system dependent.

My advice is to use https://www.thecableco.com/cables/usb-cable.html They have a program were you can do an in home trial of 5 usb cables. 

[RDavidson]

Agree that cables are system dependent. They're part of the system and will have their effect on the sound. Just looking for general guidance / direction, which I greatly appreciate.

Note I'm using a microRendu to a PS Audio DirectStream. I just got the microRendu a couple of months ago and figured I'd see if I like it before plunking money down on an expensive USB cable to go with it.

So, I just got the Pangea USB SE today. So far so good. It is definitely cleaner and more open than the Belkin. The Belkin is warmer, has decent detail, and quite good overall tone. But I think the highs are rolled off and bass a bit undefined. In terms of imaging the Belkin is a bit closed-in. Something to note is that the Belkin is at least 3M long. The Pangea is 1M. I'm sure that this is contributing a bit to the "smearing" that's seems to be going on with the Belkin.

I'll continue to play with the Pangea and see how things work out. It sounds a bit "energetic" to me at the moment, which I think a lot has to do with my ears adjusting to the extension and air I didn't have before. I think the cable needs some run time too. Overall, it seems to be a good upgrade at a very reasonable price, nice construction too. Time will tell. I have 30 days to send it back.